(We'll have to say goodbye to one first.)
Saturday morning, whatever that is Mars Local time, the shuttle to Earth will depart.
Its form-factor will be a large commodities and consumables module, harnessed with four of the Gas-Cooled Nuclear Reactor/Rocket Shuttles.
Each of those will have the “afterburner” modification. This is a Magnetohydronynamic accelerator extended along the rear of the drive assembly. The high-temperature outbound gases of the thrust will be further accelerated to maximize the efficiency of the engines.
Even so, the return trip to Earth will require nearly three months. We have to get them going now.
During the flight, this maximized acceleration will still not be sufficient for travel comfort. Accordingly, rotation will again be used to provide for passenger accommodations. Around the central mass of the main module, this rotation will provide a near-normal weight function within the Shuttle Craft.
The passenger and crew contingents will be housed there under normal conditions.
Should solar radiation constitute a hazard during flight, shelter will be taken in the shielded central mass under reduced gravitational stress. One hopes this will not be needed for long.
After arrival at Earth and delivery of our passengers and cargo to the needed destinations, a quick turnaround for our new cargo and requested materials has been arranged.
Modularized components will be loaded, the reaction tanks topped off, and an immediate clandestine launch is to occur. As you recall, NASA is still keeping quite mum about our presence. We will accommodate their caution.
For those who remain curious about this situation, remember that our capabilities, should they perchance be used for militaristic purposes, would be daunting to certain other nations of Earth who are still in their infancy as far as their space programs are concerned.
NASA is trying to keep us from embarrassing other nations, they say. Privately, I am of the opinion it is not the other nations who stand to be embarrassed, but I try to maintain good relations with NASA. They do provide us some really top-notch equipment, cameras, and communications electronics.
That's so nice of NASA.